Optical fiber based sensor system suitable for monitoring remote aqueous infiltration

ABSTRACT

A method of monitoring the integrity of a hull of an aircraft or a submarine comprising placing an optical fiber network over at least an outer portion of a hull and connecting fiber optic cable instrumentation and a light source to said optical fiber network and, monitoring the integrity of the hull using the instrumentation and the light source.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to monitoring systems employingoptical fibers and more particularly to those involving the monitoringof aqueous infiltration.

2. Description of Related Art

The monitoring of corrosion effects on mechanical equipment whenoperating in a sub-sea or harsh environment is a necessity in manysituations. For example such monitoring includes (i) in-situ monitoringthe health of aerospace, civil and marine structures for structuraldeformation effects and the effects of corrosion and water or chemicalinfiltration into structural material systems including Fiber ReinforcedPlastic (FRP) composite material, (ii) monitoring of the long termhealth of aging aircraft fuselage structural integrity, (iii) monitoringpressure on composite FRP structures which include mast and sparflexing, sail pneumatic pressure and hull deformation and moisture orchemical infiltration or change in any composite material structure.

The following references U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,930 November, 1993Fukuyoshi et al: U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,411 February, 1995 Cohen: U.S. Pat.No. 6,080,982 June, 2000 Cohen: U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,283 November, 1992Kurtz et al: U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,423 January, 1993 Phillips et al: U.S.Pat. No. 5,187,475 February, 1993 Wagener et al: U.S. Pat. No. 5,196,845March, 1993 Myatt: U.S. Pat. No. 5,278,442 January, 1994 Prinz et al:U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,041 May, 1996 Spillman et al. Other references: A.Martin, “A Novel Optical Fiber-Based Strain Sensor”, IEEE PhotonicsTechnology Letters Vol. 9 No. 7, July 1997: D. C. Inder, “Evaluation ofa low-cost fiber-based strain sensor”, SPIE Vol. 3670.0277-789X/99,March 1999: o. Suzuki, “POF-Type Optic Humidity Sensor and ItsApplication”, IEEE 0-7803-7289-1/02: K. Broadwater, “Experimental andNumerical Studies In the Evaluation of Epoxy-Cured Fiber OpticConnectors”, 2000 Electronic Components and Technology Conference,September 2000: J. Mrotek, “Diffusion of Moisture Trough Optical FiberCoatings”, IEEE, JNL 0733-8724/01, July, 2001: K. Cooper, “OpticalFiber-Based Corrosion Sensor Systems for Health Monitoring of AgingAircraft”, IEEE, 07803-7094-5/01, May 2001: B. Degamber, “Remote ProcessMonitoring Using Optical Fibre Sensors”, IEEE, 0-7803-7454-1/02, January2002: N. Yonemoto “Multi-functional Sensing for High-sensitivityDetection of Initial State of Iron Rust”, IEEE Instrument andMeasurement Technology Conference, May 1988: Y. Chuah, “WirelessTelemetry System for Strain Measurement”, IEEE, 0-7803-5957-7/00, July2000: Royal Navy Procedure UK-DEF STAN 02-304 Part 4/Issue 2 (Apr. 1,2000) describe related applications.

In addition, the following US patents describe other relatedapplications, U.S. Pat. No. 5,995,686 to Hamburger et al., U.S. Pat. No.6,466,323 to Anderson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,005 to Brossia et al.,U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,856 to Kirkham, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,866,265 toHohne.

There is a particular problem associated with underwater apparatusincluding docks, ships, barges and other equipment associated therewithas one must generally assume a certain “shelf/operational life” forvarious instrumentation and or components in order to prevent theapparatus shutting down or encroaching on design limits due to damagefrom water or other seepage. For example, in the case of some navy shippropulsion shafts, such shafts are automatically taken out of service orlimited in operational service after approximately 7 years in use.Sometime the infiltration is close to damaging the components andsometimes it isn't. However, to be sure, to date, the only option is totake the equipment out of service. This is an expensive and oftenunnecessary waste of time if there has been no damage or no initiationof corrosion.

An easier method to monitor such applications and remote equipment wouldbe highly desired but has not heretofore been developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sensing infiltration of water or otherliquid suitable for use in applications that are remote or not readilyaccessible, for example, in underwater locations such as underwaterpropulsion shafts. In accordance with the present invention, there isprovided a system of monitoring remote or even underwater equipmentusing a novel and unique application of optical sensing technology. Thepresent invention provides substantial unexpected benefits to manyindustries including the shipping and offshore industries.

Additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be setforth in the description which follows, and in part, will be obviousfrom the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.The objects, features and advantages of the invention may be realizedand obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinationparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the specification, illustrate a presently preferred embodimentof the invention, and, together with the general description given aboveand the detailed description of the preferred embodiment given below,serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a preferred embodiment useful with a surface ship propulsionshaft. The diagram provides a simplified cross-section view of thesurface ship application of an embedded optical fiber based sensorsystem.

FIG. 2 is another embodiment of the present invention useful for asubmarine shaft. The diagram provides a simplified cross-sectional viewof the submarine ship application of an embedded optical fiber basedsensor system.

FIG. 3 depicts a suitable propulsion shaft application diagram accordingto the present invention. The diagram provides a perspective view of acomposite FRP corrosion prevention apparatus including an encapsulatedsensor according to one advantageous propulsion shaft configurationembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of the present invention relating to afiber based humidity and corrosion sensor system. This diagram providesa fragmentary perspective view of a propulsion shaft having a compositeFRP wrap layered on top of the fiber sensor assembly.

FIG. 5 is a diagram providing a simplified view of lay-up of sensors ona propulsion shaft according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a FRP Lay-up according to anotherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a chart showing a relationship of shroud expansion to strainand is a graph that predicts the effective mechanical strain which isthen sensed by the embedded optical sensors and results in a detectablechange in the transmissive characteristics of the corrosion sensor usedin the preferred embodiment when exposed to strain caused by build-up ofcorrosive material under the protective FRP coating of the propulsionshaft.

FIG. 8 is a diagram that provides a functional view of a Plastic OpticalFiber (POF) structure according to one embodiment of the presentinvention that includes a humidity or chemical sensor. In thisembodiment the change in the refractive index is, for example, a resultof the presence of water molecules and thus drives a change of state ofthe sensor.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a corrosion sensor based on strain acting ona biconical fiber taper according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. The diagram depicts the functional characteristics of acorrosion sensor based on the effects of strain on the transmissivestructure of a biconical taper to trigger changes in state of thecorrosion protection FRP layer due to induced strain.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of a FRP Lay-up on a propulsion shaftmounted in a FRP channel according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. The presence of the channel permits, for example, uniformdistribution of strain for the fiber based strain sensor and/or uniformhumidity or chemical exposure for the plastic fiber based humidity orchemical sensor.

FIG. 11 shows structures that provide routing of connection fibers andtensioning and allow for pre-straining of banded corrosion sensorsaccording to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 includesFRP Lay-up and shows single and dual port ferrule structures fixed to ashaft or FRP Lay-up with an adhesive according to one embodimentdescribed herein.

FIG. 12 is another embodiment of the present invention useful forelectrical fittings. In this embodiment the change in the refractiveindex is, for example, a result of the presence of water molecules andthus drives a change of state of the sensor. Also sensing of straindistribution for the fiber based strain sensor and/or uniform humidityor chemical exposure for the plastic fiber based humidity or chemicalsensor is an indication of boundary degradation.

FIG. 13 is another embodiment showing an exemplary submarine hull tilebond integrity monitoring arrangement according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is another embodiment showing an exemplary aerospace or spaceshuttle application whereby tile integrity can be monitored according tothe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is capable of being used in virtually anyapplication such as the following: (i) in-situ monitoring the health ofaerospace, civil and marine structures for structural deformationeffects and the effects of corrosion and water or chemical infiltrationinto structural material systems including Fiber Reinforced Plastic(FRP) composite material, (ii) monitoring of the long term health ofaging aircraft fuselage structural integrity, in particular, forexample, monitoring the integrity of a fuselage such as an aircraft orspaceship or space shuttle such that one or more fiber optic sensor(s)positioned therein would be capable of reporting any potential or actualdamage, however small, to one or more locations so that appropriateremedial measures can be taken to minimize the risks (iii) monitoringpressure on composite FRP structures which include mast and sparflexing, sail pneumatic pressure and hull deformation and moisture orchemical infiltration or change in any composite material structure. Thepresent invention is also capable of being used for monitoring ofmechanical seal failure such as for electrical fittings, plugs- andadapters as well as virtually any monitoring application where moistureor corrosion might be present.

The present invention provides a system whereby a fiber optic sensorassembly is adapted to predict service life or failure of equipmentbased on infiltration of moisture and/or strain due to corrosionbuild-up.

Service requirements for both military and commercial vessels requirethe fleet to maximize service operation and minimize dry-dock down time.These service requirements are needed to make the most economical use ofship assets through twenty four hour seven day week operation. Theembedded optical fiber based sensor system disclosed here will eliminatepremature service overhaul and delay occurrence of dry-dock down time.Less down time therefore, less lost duty time thereby reducing expensesassociated with dry-dock and needless or accelerated overhaulactivities. Adoption and incorporation of the described invention intothe lay-up of the FRP cover (shroud) of propulsion shafts, will reducethe over all cost of ownership. The in-situ interrogation of submergedpropulsion shafts has a clear benefit of reducing maintenance andsupport costs by allowing condition based maintenance. Examination ofthe condition of the shaft with respect to known failure mechanisms dueto corrosion while under water has not been successfully achieved due tothe complex and harsh environmental conditions. Several new technologieshave allowed the realization of the invention described here. Thebenefits of the in-situ, underwater interrogation of propulsion shaftsis manifest in a change in the ship owners maintenance methods. Thus theinvention contained herein allows a window of observation in a uniqueapplication that heretofore was not possible. Major cost savings occurfor the ship industry when condition based maintenance approach isenabled which allows maintenance to take place as needed based on thecondition of the propulsion shaft. In contrast to time based maintenancewhere maintenance is scheduled at fixed time intervals irrespective ofthe actual condition of the propulsion shaft. Surface ship and submarinecurrently in Naval service are on a time based maintenance schedule at acost exceeding $1 M dollars per event taking into account dry-dockcosts. After costly removal is performed in dry-dock, at the shipyard,many shafts are inspected and are found to be adequate for continuedservice. These shafts are removed anyway and replaced with shafts withfresh corrosion protection FRP shroud covering. Incorporating the novelsystem for inspecting these shafts and parts in-situ and submergedprovides useful material performance information and an opportunity toreduce maintenance cost significantly. The novel invention describedhere will offer the potential for longer service life and reduced totalownership cost for uses of remote equipment that can become damaged byinfiltration of water, for example, ship owners.

In addition, the present invention is in no way limited to use only withpropulsion shafts or marine vessels but also could be readily adapted toa variety of aerospace, civil and marine mechanical structures. Suchdevices can be fitted with sensors, such as strain sensors, used formeasuring various forces or other physical effects to which a monitoredstructure is subjected. For example, a number of steel and concretestructures, such as buildings, bridges, culverts, and tunnel linings,often include embedded strain sensors. In addition, while a variety ofcomposite structures already incorporate strain sensors, the number ofcomposite structures that include sensors is expected to increasedramatically as composite structures are increasingly utilized in theaerospace, civil, marine and transportation industries.

As known to those skilled in the art of fabrication of compositestructures, fabrication generally subjects the composite structure torelatively high temperatures, relatively large pressures and somecorrosive byproducts of the catalytic reaction occurring during thecuring process. In this invention optical sensors are preferably used inconjunction with composite structures since optical sensors aretypically not affected by undesirable effects of curing nor are theyvulnerable to the challenges of using electrically powered sensors in ahigh conductivity environment such as underwater. They can also be usedto sense strain and other physical phenomena acting upon the compositestructures during the fabrication process. Following fabrication,sensors can be used, for example, to monitor strain and other physicalphenomena imparted to the composite structures during service. It isunique and novel to include sensors in such remote applicationsincluding for example offshore or sub-sea propulsion shaftanti-corrosive coatings, as a predictor of service life during normalconditions and as a predictor of material fatigue or premature failureduring extreme conditions that meet or exceed the original designparameters of the specific composite coatings used to protect sub-seapropulsion shafts from the corrosive effects of the marine environment.

The present invention relates generally to designing propulsion shaftcorrosion protection FRP coverings to accommodate monitoring sensorsthat are embedded or otherwise associated therewith as well as relatedmethods for fabricating such corrosion protection structures.

According to the present invention, a design and preferred embodiment ispresented which includes FRP composite structures forming a shroudassembly associated with the lay-up of the anti-corrosion protectivecoating used to protect underwater propulsion shafts. However, sensorsof any type could be provided on any remote equipment that could becomedamaged or otherwise impacted by undesired infiltration of liquid. Bybeing embedded therein directly or within such a structure such as acompatible FRP composite tube or channel, the embodiment of the sensorsystem becomes integrated within the device itself, for example, ananti-corrosive barrier coating on a propulsion shaft.

Any suitable sensor can be utilized in the present invention. Forexample, the sensor described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,995,686 to Hamburger etal. would be suitable and the content of the Hamburger et al. isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Alternatively, thesensors of Anderson et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,466,323) or Hohne (U.S. Pat.No. 4,866,265) or Brossia et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,005), the contentsof which are hereby incorporated by reference, could also be utilized ifdesired.

According to one advantageous embodiment, an anti-corrosive barriercoating assembly includes a fiber optic sensor having an element withpredetermined dimensions and/or chemical sensing capability, that isembedded within the anti-corrosive barrier coating spliced to an opticalfiber having an end portion that extends to the termination on aelectro-optical device or a termination connector. By embedding the FRPtubes and/or channels in combination with the sensor assembly of thisembodiment within a device that will be used in a remote location, suchas an anti-corrosive barrier coating, the fiber optic sensor preferablyis adapted to measure a parameter that is dependent upon the conditions,such as the strain, presence of chemical compounds or temperature, towhich at least a portion of the structural element is subjected in amanner which averages the measurements over the predetermined dimensionsof the sensor element.

Below is described a particular embodiment relating to an underwaterpropulsion shaft and the below description is not intended as beinglimited and a similar device could easily be employed on any remoteequipment. Nor is the sensor itself limited to the one described but anyfiber optic or similar sensor could be utilized if desired for anyreason including those mentioned supra.

The FRP composite anti-corrosion coating has predetermined dimensionsthat are greater than the predetermined dimensions of the sensor elementsuch that the integrated sensing assembly measures the parameter in amanner which can produce spot measurements or average the measurementover a distance that is between the respective predetermined dimensionsof the propulsion shaft FRP coating and the sensor element. For example,the propulsion shaft FRP coating will expand due to the buildup ofcorrosion on the surface of the metallic shaft, causing an increase inthe circumference of the FRP coating. By including a fiber optic strainsensor, the change can be measured accurately. As such, the exemplaryembodiment measures the strain to which a portion of the structuralelement is subjected in a manner which can be localized or average thestrain measurement over a distance that is irrespective of the length ofthe sensor element.

Likewise in this embodiment of the invention the FRP compositeanti-corrosive coating is under-laid with sensor elements that sense thepresence of humidity or liquid water. Thus providing an indication ofthe presence of infiltration of corrosive electrolytes or damagingmolecules between the anti-corrosive coating and the metallic orcomposite propulsion shaft. This condition would be interpreted as aseal breach in this embodiment.

Accordingly, the FRP encapsulated corrosion sensing apparatus of thepresent invention both protects embedded sensors such that the fiberoptic sensor is embedded within a structural element and thereafter theinstalled sensor system performs both as monitor and protective coatingfor the shalt. In addition, the composite FRP assembly can be designedto have thermal, electrical and mechanical properties that are tailoredto match or otherwise conform to the properties of the host material ofthe structural element on or in which the assembly will be embedded.

The invention described herein applies fiber optic sensor technologywhere it has not been previously applied. This application of fibersensor technology is novel and presents a significant advance overtechniques that could potentially be used, such as electronic sensors,electronic strain gauges, electronic hydrometers, etc., used in the pastto monitor the forces and other conditions to which an associated FRPcomposite may be subjected. Embedding electronics in the FRP is prone tofailure over the long term due the extremely harsh environment of thesubmerged propulsion shaft health monitoring application. Thus in thiscase fiber optic sensors allow this invention to avoid the traditionalelectronic techniques which fail to meet the service life requirementsdue to the corrosive nature of the environment. (water, salt water,pollution chemicals, etc.)

The novel application of fiber optic sensors proposed here has utilizedoptical techniques to measure strain and other physical phenomena towhich the propulsion shaft anti-corrosive FRP cover structure issubjected. As will be apparent, fiber optic sensors are small and moredurable than comparable electronic sensors. In addition, fiber opticsensors are less susceptible to electromagnetic interference, haveimproved corrosion resistance, reduced cabling requirements, have lessphysical influence on the overall structure, and generally improvedmeasurement sensitivity.

In the invention described herein, fiber optic sensors are encapsulatedin a fiber composite material formed of fiberglass cloth and a two-partepoxy. As part of the encapsulation, the sensor can be disposed withinthe FRP composite and as part of the lay-up may be placed in a vacuumbag or vacuum mold designed to extract unwanted air and excess resin. Assuch, the resulting embodiment of the encapsulated sensor or array ofsensors will solidify in the desired configuration based on custom needsof the specific propulsion shaft configuration.

The proposed embodiment demonstrates techniques and practice required tofabricate and install sensors on the propulsion shaft and are presentedherein are exemplary. The practice of FRP lay-up, sensor anchoring,location of the sensor on a propulsion shaft, along with the type ofsensor and procedure for interrogation, make up key elements ofpractical implementation of the invention. Reduced cost of ownershipresults from using this invention to monitor the health of the shaftwhile the propulsion shaft is submerged and installed on the hostvessel.

Fiber optic sensor attachment to a metallic or composite propulsionshaft requires a number of unique installation techniques. Attachmenttechniques are representative of one approach but are not limited tothose described as the preferred embodiment.

Their small size makes fiber optic sensors relatively difficult tohandle. The preferred embodiment represents an attachment method tosecure the relatively small sensors and is advantageous in manyrespects. In addition, fiber optic sensors provide an extremelylocalized measurement. Placement of sensors requires specific anchoringtechniques based on the parameter one wishes to measure, such as alocalized strain measurement vs. an average strain measurement. Thepreferred embodiment of the invention provides insight into thecondition of the underlying shaft, with regard to corrosion and/or waterinfiltration penetrating the anti-corrosive FRP cover.

The health monitoring of propulsion shafts by analysis of changes instructural state or chemical make-up of the anti-corrosive cover andshaft mechanical system through periodic measurement of the embeddedoptical sensor system realizes the claim that the condition of the shaftcan be determined in-situ (without removing the shaft from the vessel).These measurements can then be averaged over a long period of timeperiod and over a larger surface area. Long term data collected fromperiodic sensor interrogation can then be correlated and interpreted.

Fiber optic sensors are quite delicate. As such, the process forfabricating an anti-corrosive FRP cover for protection of the shaft,which must be compliant with military specifications and sub-seaenvironment, requires the embodiment of the design and process orpractice of building a FRP structure to be precisely and reputablyaccomplished such that uniform service results can be obtained.Fabrication includes the subsequent process of layering the FRP shroudon a propulsion shaft without damage to the embedded fiber optic sensorsand with access to the ingress and egress optical ports for terminationof the optical circuits to either embedded telemetry circuits orwet-mate optical connectors. As discussed previously the embodimentdescribed herein has chosen, but is not limited to, wet-mate opticalconnectors.

The invention of the propulsion shaft health monitor and novel practicedisclosed herein presents the preferred embodiment of fiber optic sensorattachment to a propulsion shaft through the use of anchor point ferulesand pre-formed channel structures in accordance with the inventionapplication and the choice of sensor elements presented herein. Thechannels and ferrules are made of FRP compatible materials and are thusbonded to the fiber reinforced plastic coating, metallic shaft orcomposite shaft, thus becoming an integrated sensing system ofpredetermined topology and sensing capability. Thereafter, the fusedstructure becomes a permanent attachment to the shaft. As such, thefiber optic sensor is protected by the pre-formed channel or tube fromindelicate handling and forces present during the shaft anti-corrosivebarrier fabrication and installation processes that could otherwise bedestructive.

To average the strain over the sensor length a pre-formed tube orchannel generally allows the fiber to stretch. A channel also allowswater or chemical infiltrate to pass along the fiber with relative ease.This practice also relieves the fiber from adhesion to the RFP substratewhen the application benefits from free movement.

Likewise other sensor applications benefit when the fiber is cast intothe FRP lay-up as an integral component glass element. This embodimentprovides more localized measurements where sensors are wetted with resinand pressed into the composite material during lay-up, thus forming asolid integrated structure.

In yet another optical sensor configuration the fiber is held in apre-formed channel against the metallic or composite propulsion shaftwhereby the pre-formed channel protects the fiber sensor from the FRPlay-up material leaving the sensor completely isolated and able to sensethe presence of chemical agents or corrosive byproducts.

The coefficients of thermal expansion of the pre-formed channel or tubeand the host material are chosen to be close to the same or exactly thesame. This approach avoids issues known to cause adverse effects suck asmaterial delamination of the pre-formed channel. Additionally,fabricating pre-formed channel structures in identical compatiblecomposite FRP material provides the same susceptibility to corrosion andwater or electrolyte infiltration when used for marine sub-seamonitoring.

As such, it is desirable to be able to reliably embed and securely bondsensors, including fiber optic sensors, within a variety of FRP shapessuch that the sensors are compatible with the materials currently inuse. In this embodiment, it is desirable to provide a fiber optic sensordressing and routing technique that eases handling and is repeatable andthus less prone to error.

Current techniques for health monitoring are unwieldy and/or inaccurate.The corrosion area of interest may be so situated as to be inaccessibleor not readily accessible. Under normal conditions (i.e., when a ship isin the water), it may be an awkward and clumsy proposition for a personto operate a gauge instrument or do a visual inspection at a givenlocation or within a given configuration. In situations involving shippropulsion, it usually requires inspection only during static conditions(i.e., when the ship is in dry dock rather than at sea), the resultantmeasurements may not be accurate unless the protective anti-corrosivecoating is completely removed.

In marine military applications, for instance, corrosion of the mainpropulsion shaft can result in mechanical failure. Conventionalapproaches to determining such corrosion have involved manual visualinspection. Lack of access to the entire surface area of the shaftexposed to the corrosive effects of sea water limits inspection todry-dock maintenance. In fact the shaft corrosion problem forces theNavy to dry-dock the fleet on a time based schedule. This maintenanceprocedure is directly related to the operators inability to visuallyinspect large portions of the shaft until the shaft is removed from thevessel during dry-dock.

Propulsion Shaft Description—The propulsion shaft for modern shippingtypically consists of three main components. The propulsion shaft,stuffing box, and stern tube make up the major operational componentsthat are discussed here in order to identify the use of the invention.

FIG. 1—Propulsion Shaft Diagram displays the typical mechanical designof a propulsion shaft system. The stern tube is part of the design ofmost if not all ships and leaves the propulsion shaft inaccessible andthus impossible to make visual inspections to determining riskassessment of the extent corrosion and thus the health of the shaft isindeterminate.

The described apparatus is embedded in the FRP covering for thepropulsion shaft. As delamination or damage to the corrosion protectivecovering of the shaft occurs seepage occurs triggering a change of stateof the embedded optical sensor technology. Thus an array of sensorspicks up the migration of moisture up the shaft. Interrogation of theshaft sensors provides indication that the shaft anti-corrosive seal hasdeteriorated. As time passes, and subsequent interrogations of thesensor array are performed, migration of moisture axially up the shaftcan be tracked. In areas where the moisture has accumulated andcorrosion has commenced, swelling of the shroud can be expected as thecorrosive byproducts accumulate under the shroud cover. Over timerepeated interrogation of the status of the sensor array will providecontinued insight into the progression of the corrosive process andallow accumulation of statistical trend information that will lead toprediction of shaft health and allow for condition based maintenancethus avoiding catastrophic failure based on real time shaft conditionassessment.

Since the invention is a novel solution to a pressing maintenance needof the military and industry the invention is independent of thespecific fiber sensor technology applied to sense the change of state ofthe FRP anti-corrosion covering. The invention takes advantage of thefact that corrosive by-products are caused by infiltration of water orchemicals to the space between the protective coating and the shaft. Theresult caused by chemical reaction of these electrolytes and chemicalswith the core shaft material produces corrosion between the FRP coatingand the shaft. As shown (FIG. 7) the shaft diameter expands as thecorrosive by-products build volume under the anti-corrosive covering.The extent of health of the shaft is detected through the use of twomethods by this invention. First the detection of corrosive chemicalsinfiltrating to the shaft core. Secondly, the detection of swelling ofthe protective coating covering the shaft resulting from the build up ofcorrosion byproducts.

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodimentof the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to thespecific embodiments set forth herein; rather, this embodiment isprovided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and willfully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

There exists a common problem as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, andillustrated in FIG. 3. Military commercial shipping and the offshoreindustry, including submarine applications, have similar needs foranti-corrosion coverings for their propulsion shaft sections that areexposed to harsh sub-sea corrosive environments. This invention provides“real time” monitoring of the health of an equipped propulsion shaft.Once equipped with the invention, the progression of corrosion and/orshaft degradation can be monitored in-situ and under water without theneed to dry-dock or dismantle the vessel for removal of the shaft andvisual inspection. It is envisioned that the invention could permitequipment to be checked on a periodic basis such as every 6 months, orevery 12 months for example or virtually any predetermined time intervalor continuous monitoring.

Provided a ship is equipped with the invention interrogation can beconducted while the ship is in alongside a pier. A maintenance teamsimply attaches to the sensor array using any type of connector, forexample a sub-sea wet-matable connectors or in and alternate embodimentqueries an embedded transponder. The sensors can then be interrogatedfrom a test station above water. This concept of providing interrogationand diagnosis of the propulsion shaft condition is novel and unique tothis invention and its application to propulsion shafts or military andcommercial shipping.

FIGS. 1,2 and 3 show typical propulsion shaft configurations for surfaceship, submarine and generic propulsion shaft applications. Elements ofthe propulsion shaft embodiment to which the invention is to be appliedare described as follows: (1) metallic or composite propulsion shaftcore; (2) through-hull sleeve bearing through which the shaft protrudes;(3) shaft seal (stuffing box) used to make the shaft through hullwatertight; (4) stem tube through which the shaft protrudes towards thefinal bearing and the propeller; (5) FRP anti-corrosion coating protectsthe metallic propulsion shaft core from sea water corrosive or damagingeffects; (6) final sleeve bearing through which the shaft protrudes; (7)propeller. Since the mechanical characteristics of the composite FRP canbe precisely tailored (such as to match those characteristics of thepropulsion shaft contours and materials in which the optical sensorsystem is to be embedded) a secure bond can be formed between the hostFRP material and the propulsion shaft material.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a monitoring solution forpropulsion shafts. We discuss the invention as it is applied to thepreferred embodiment for interrogation of the condition of the shaftcore (1) to determine the effects of infiltration of water, chemicalsand the resultant corrosive effects. This can be done while the shaft issubmerged and without disassembly. As an example of the preferredembodiment we discuss a method for fabricating the embedded propulsionshaft health monitoring sensor system on propulsion shafts on commercialand military ships. Note the shaft configuration. A percentage of theshaft is not inside the ship it is not. The shaft length exposed to theseawater environment is the area where the invention provides a solutionfor detection of corrosion and/or propulsion shaft deterioration bysensing changes in the state of the FRP corrosion protection coating. Itshould be noted also that a portion of the external shaft length isencapsulated by a structure known as the “stern tube” making visualinspection impossible.

A preferred embodiment of the invention positions a plurality of sensorsas shown in FIG. 4. (8), (9), (10). Sensors are preferably located incertain predetermined positions in order to provide consistent resultsand quantitatively track the condition of the propulsion shaft. As partof this embodiment the sensors can be, if desired, incorporated at thetime of anti-corrosion FRP coating installation lay-up. The sensorshaving an a-shaped lateral cross-sectional and including a plurality ofsensors are placed, but not limited to being placed, both under thefirst layer and under the third layer according to one embodiment of thepresent invention. In FIG. 5, there is shown an implementation of theinvention including optical harnesses used to deliver and retrieveoptical signals to and from sensor elements. In this case endattachments are delivered to sub-sea optical connectors in this case orother similar methods to deliver and receive optical signals fortelemetric delivery to necessary measurement equipment are not describedhere. In FIG. 6, a diagram depicts a typical cross section of apropulsion shaft including an embedded humidity and corrosion sensorswith ingress/egress optical connection through a “Wet-Mate” fiberconnector. Alternative embodiments may include electronic telemetrycircuitry and its associated electrical connectors or wirelesstransponder molded into the FRP on the shaft circumference.

Ferrule (28) fiber holders are placed according to specific design ofsensor types and the routing of the connection fibers. The mat is thenlaid on top of the sensors, impregnated with resin, and allowed to curewhile the fibers remain stationary within the fiber holder ferrules.Thereafter, based on the precise placement of ferrules, routing (30) isconsistent and repeatable and the resulting composite FRP assembly canbe manufactured repeatedly with consistent sensor results.

The fiber sensors are then baselined using a calibrated opticaltransmitter source and optical detector forming the final calibrated ofthe sensor assembly. (11)

A plurality of fiber sensors include a first layer of dry sensor fibersto be used to sense the presence and migration of water or chemicals.(12) The humidity sensors are installed under controlled humiditycondition and remain dry or chemical free until such time a breach ofseal occurs followed by infiltration. As such, a fiber anchor/holderconsisting or ferrules (29), (31) and channels (25) is first disposedabout the first layer of the dry fibers is repeated to form a pluralityof sensor stations along the shaft (10) and is then encapsulated inMil-R-23461 or similar FRP cover. Subsequent layers consisting of fibercloth wetted with resin are then used to encapsulate the first layer andact as a base for mounting interconnect fibers.

After the base layer (13) encapsulating the dry sensor fibers in cured ainterconnect is placed above the first layer (14) and is encapsulated inthe second layer (15) corrosion sensor are located and secured withferrules in the third layer. (16) Interconnect fibers for the thirdlayer sensors are dressed to and from each sensor station (10) andencapsulated in layer three. (17) Layer four (19) both encapsulatesprovides protection for the layer three sensors and allows for molding asupport structure for mounting (20) input/output connectors (22).Stations are placed lengthwise (axially) along the shaft forming aplurality of corrosion sensing fibers (10) or a network or array ofsensors containing a plurality of humidity (8) and corrosion (9) sensorsalong the shaft.

The fiber sensor and interconnects are held in place, dressed andanchored using fiber ferules (30). Each layer is routed by design tooptimize sensor performance and minimized micro-bend losses. The sensorarray consists of a complete four layer coating containing drychemical/humidity sensors in the first layer (13), encapsulatedinterconnect fibers in the second and third layers (15) (16), andencapsulated corrosion sensors in layer three. (17) and the third layer(18) encapsulated corrosion sensors and interconnect fibers in the thirdlayer.

Fiber ends of the sensing element interconnect fibers are routed to theposition of ingress and egress which is, but not limited to, a wet-mateconnector. (22) The light input/output ports (22) are placed in an area(20) accessible to maintenance and safe from mechanical harm. The forthlayer (19) is designed to provide both the final coating and thestructural substrate to support the wet-mate connector system or anencapsulated electro-optic transducer system (22).

The forth layer (19) provides the protective layer that covers thedressing of the fiber sensor input/output fiber and encapsulation ofsub-sea connector field and/or encapsulation of opto-electrictransducer, transponder telemetry electronics. These can includetelemetry systems such as those proposed and covered under Spillman U.S.Pat. No. 5,515,040 Composite Shaft Monitoring System.

In the proposed invention presented here, the inventor has improved andreduced to practice application of optical sensor technology which isunique when applied to sub-sea applications for maritime underwaterpropulsion shaft health monitoring. The invention is a novelconfiguration in both concept and design compared with any knownpropulsion shaft monitoring optical sensor systems. Optical fibersensors are an attractive approach for making both chemical and physicalmeasurements. Their use to determine the health of a propulsion shaftcovered with a FRP coating is unique. As an illustration of the effectof deformation caused by a build up of corrosive byproducts under theFRP cover a chart showing the change in shaft radius and circumferenceand the induced strain is presented. (FIG. 7)

The embodiment of this application may include input/output connector oropto-electronics encapsulated within the composite assembly. In thepreferred embodiment fiber connectors are incorporated into the FRPthird layer where the shape of the fiber connector holder can be furthershaped or otherwise formed in a predetermined shape (22). As such, FRPassemblies having predetermined shapes, such as predetermined curvedshapes, can be readily formed so as to conform to structural elementshaving various propulsion shaft shapes and sizes.

In this embodiment, the humidity sensing method (FIG. 8) is based onplacement of a polymer or glass optically transmissive fiber against thesurface of the material part or propulsion shaft. The characteristicsthe fiber such that in the presence of water the refractive index of thecladding layer changes. The change in index results in a detectablechange in the optical characteristics of the fiber. This change oftransmissive characteristics could be detected using miniaturespectrometry or as a direct loss or signal attenuation event. A seriesof bandings of the specified fiber under the FRP lay-up as describedabove will provide station by station indication of humidity andmoisture migration under the FRP anti-corrosive cover. Detecting thepresence of water or a chemical infiltration is a key indicator as tothe initial delamination seal breach of the FRP barrier coating. Theindicator represents the initiation of a corrosive breakdown of ametallic shaft. In the case of composite shafts moisture penetrationindicates flaws or breakdown of the material structure due to water orchemical infiltration and can be used as a failure prediction indicator.

A second optical sensor method (FIG. 9) is based on placement of a glassoptically transmissive fiber in the middle of the FRP barrier coatinglay-up. The FRP barrier lay-up is effected by the stresses and strainsof the vessel movement as well as the force environmental conditionsacting on the FRP surfaces. When used as a protective layer forcorrosion prevention for submerged propulsion shafts, a breach of sealresulting in corrosive activity under the FRP coating can be detected.The corrosive activity causes a thickening film to develop on thesurface of the propulsion shaft. The thickening film causes expansion ofthe FRP shroud thus causing strain in the optical fiber sensor embeddedwithin the FRP.

Through the sensing of humidity using the first sensor method to detectthe presence of water molecules and employing the second sensor methodusing the capability to detect hoop strain due to corrosive build up.The condition of the propulsion shaft can be determined. A detaileddescription of the sensor design and its function as it applies tosolving interrogation of an in-situ propulsion shaft is presented below.

The first sensor method is diagrammed in FIG. 8. In this preferredembodiment of the propulsion shaft sensor used, but not limited to, asensor technology consisting of Plastic Optical Fiber (POF). Otheroptical sensor embodiments and materials may be substituted for thepreferred embodiment included in the disclosure of invention. Techniquesusing technology such as Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG) and mach-zenderinterferometer or spectrographic techniques may be substituted asalternative approaches used in place of the POF sensor. The preferredembodiment uses POF for simplicity of sensing and reduced costassociated with using this technology. Different customer requirementsand different chemical sensing requirements dictate the preferred sensorsolution based on prior art.

As an example: The humidity sensing sensor design used in the preferredembodiment is based on a plastic optical fiber working on the principleof the changing state of the index of refraction between the clad layerand the core of the optical fiber. Simple paF type humidity sensors usea combination of swelling polymers to clad the fiber core. The polymerschange state based on the humidity in the environment. The change ofstate causes a change in the guiding properties of the paF. As thecladding layer absorbs water molecules the index of refraction changesfrom an index greater than the core to an index less than the core. Thischange of state is referred to as a structure change from a leakyplastic optical fiber to a guided paF. The technique is sensitive tochanges in relative humidity ranging from 10% to 100%. There is asensitive knee in the curve based on the formula of the polymer cladcoating that sharply changes transmissive characteristics when relativehumidity reaches between 60-70% and continues through 100%. It is thissharp change in transmissive characteristics that will be used toindicate presence of water migrating between the shaft and the shroud.

The POF sensors are fabricated by coating the core POF with swellingpolymers. It is well known that certain kinds of polymers swell whenwater molecules attach themselves to the polymer. The attachment causesthe change in index of the clad layer of the paF and the sensor istriggered. If the cladding layer is set to a higher index of refractionthan the core the fiber tends to leak, leaks imply that the rays are notconstrained to the core of the fiber by the cladding. Instead there area certain percentage of photons which escape the core and exit thefiber. However when the fiber is exposed to water vapor the claddingbegins to swell through the attachment of water molecules. The index inthe cladding begins to decrease and becomes lower than the index of thecore. When this happens the paF changes to a guided mode in which therays of light are completely contained in the core of the fiber andlittle light energy is lost. The increase in transmitted energy is thussensed and the sensor has detected the presence of water.

Experimental results done by industry researchers indicate the sensorwill be triggered at approximately 60-70% relative humidity. Moresensitive sensors than shown in this example can detect smallerconcentrations of chemical or humidity at a higher cost. Sensor such asFiber Bragg Gratings provide for the more sensitive detection at basedon the requirements of the customer. The lay-up of the sensor could beas described herein.

The second corrosion sensing method example is shown in FIG. 9. In thispreferred embodiment of the propulsion shaft corrosion sensor, anoptical sensor is used to sense hoop strain.

In the description of the preferred embodiment we have chosen, but arenot limited to, a biconical multi-mode fiber sensor. Similar sensor maybe used in the invention to sense hoop strain. Techniques using fibersensors such as Fiber Bragg Gratings and mach-zender interferometer asalternative approaches for strain sensing can be used in place of themulti-mode strain sensor presented here.

In the preferred embodiment, the corrosion sensor design is based on theprinciple that the byproducts of the corrosive process where by waterreacts with forged steel produces FeO2 or iron oxide. Iron oxideoccupies more volume than the steel and causes the surface area of thecorroding surface build up thickness. In the case of a composite shaftthe shaft may swell when contaminated with sea water. The build-up inthickness causes the circumference of the propulsion shaft to increase.The added dimension causes the FRP cover to expand which in turnstretches the embedded fiber sensor corrosion sensor causing a strain tobe induced in the optical fiber sensor. When the sensor is theninterrogated using the same technique described above for the humiditysensor, the results will indicate the increased strain and the presencecircumference change and thus the severity of corrosion based on thevolumetric changes in dimension of the FRP coating due to build-up ofcorrosion.

It should be noted that the ratio of expansion of radius tocircumference is such that a small build up of corrosion of 30 um willresult in an increase in the a 6 fold increase in circumference or 180um. The 30 um increase represents a 0.01% strain. The expansion in theradial measurement of the shaft and the resulting circumference changeis shown in FIG. 7.

The corrosion sensor is a fiber optic device. This approach takesadvantage of research into novel intensity based optical fiber strainsensors. In this approach a conventional multi-mode (50j125J.1m) fiberis drawn-down to give a reduced cross sectional area that resembles asymmetrical taper. The sensor will then be embedded into the FRP orfiber reinforce epoxy composite compliant with MIL-R-23461. When subjectto strain the “hoop sensor” will cause a change in the transmissivecharacteristics of the optical fiber. When placed under strain theeffected fiber will allow increased optical transmission linearlyproportional to the strain acting on the sensor.

Research into the appropriate strain sensor for this novel applicationindicates a tapered section can be introduced into a length ofmulti-mode fiber producing the needed results. The sensor is designedsuch that the taper region effects the Numerical Aperture (NA) of thefiber and thus effects the light transmission. When this tapered regionis strained, the geometry of the taper is altered causing a change inthe effective NA and therefore a change in the transmissioncharacteristics of the optical fiber.

The tapers can be introduced into the using various methods. Results ofexperiments have indicated that the response of the sensor becomes morepronounced as the taper angle is increased with respect to the Z axis.

FIG. 9 shows light entering a biconical tapered region. As the taperedsection of the fiber deforms due to mechanical strain the biconicaleffects the passage of light more than the rest of the fiber and thustriggers the sensor. The triggered response is considerably morepronounced when compared with UN-tapered optical fiber. There are threediscernible sections of an optical fiber biconical taper: the downtaper, the waist and the up-taper as shown in FIG. 9 above. The downtaper reduces in radius along the Z axis, or the length of the fiber,until the waist region where it remains constant for a length. Theup-taper region expands in radius along the Z axis until the taperreturns to the normal fiber dimensions. The propagation of light isaltered when it enters the tapered region. The angle of down tapereffectively reduces the numerical aperture and light is lost into thecladding due to the change in the angle of incidence of the light raysto the edge of the cladding Theta-Taper vs. the normal angle ofincidence Theta-Critical. This variance in incident angle manifestsitself in the effect that less light is passed through the waist regionof the sensor.

Where m is transmission of the profiles sensor and Theta-Critical andTheta-Taper represent the critical angle and the taper angle for themulti-mode fiber when the sensor is in a strain free condition, Epsilonis the axial strain along the fiber (Z axis) and Gamma is the Poissonratio.

Conventional 50/1251.1m multi-mode, step index optical fiber with apolyimide coating have been used by researchers to fabricate strainsensors.

The Sensors being fabricated as described herein. The attachment to thepropulsion shaft is undertaken using to band the metallic or compositeshaft prior to the application of the anti-corrosive FRP coating withhumidity or chemical sensors whose characteristics vary from atransmissive or spectrographic prospective in the presence of water orother chemicals and hoop strain sensors to indicate the progression ofcorrosion e.r. the FRP coating.

The bands are made up of prefabricated single or multiple sensor fibersplaced around the circumference of the shaft. The ends of said fibersare threaded through two or more port ferrules and a strain is placed onthe fibers to pre-tension them to prescribed strain.

The locking ferules (29), (31) are then attached to the fiber claddingwith adhesive material such that uniform placement of fiber sensors canbe made at each layer of the fRP composite according to the customerrequirements.

Interconnect fibers are routed using ferules attached to the surface ofthe FRP composite layer on which routing is to occur using adhesive therouting such that the connection is made between said sensors and saidoptical ingress/egress connector or in-situ opto-electronic circuitsused for telemetry therein.

In the preferred embodiment, the sensor will be fabricated and embeddedin the shaft coating as described above. Once the sensors have beenformed the sensors will be illuminated using a LED which will inject thelight into the source end or the sensor. FIG. 4 provides a diagram thatindicates the placement of functional humidity detection sensorsembedded under the first layer. The fiber sensor having contact with theshaft material and being contained in FRP channels has the capability tochange state as water or a chemical infiltrates the shaft. The sensor islighted with source and the light interconnected to the sensor by anumbilical cable attached from the surface to the shaft via wet-mateconnector. The light is then guided through the interconnect fibers tothe sensor element. Once the light has passed through the sensor elementit is guided by a second interconnect fiber out to the wet-mateconnector and through the umbilical cable and is terminated on asensitive detector. An alternative embodiment would attach theembodiment of the humidity sensor to an embedded telemetry system whichwould make use of embedded opto-electric light source and detector.Interconnection via a telemetry scheme similar to the Spillman patentreferred to above.

In-situ calibration of sensor array using an Optical Transmission TimeDomain Reflectometer (OTDR) to baseline the in-situ sensors and measureconnector insertion loss.

Connector covers are used to prevent water form sitting on connectorsand the connector covers are held in place by a rubber girdle to protectthem from shaft rotation turbulence.

Umbilical cables from the surface ship enable technicians or crew to runa series of tests to discover changes in the state of the health of theshaft etc.

In-situ interrogation of the embedded sensor array is embodied in theprocedure outlined herein or similar procedural steps designed toisolate and detect the optical transmissive characteristics of thein-situ optical fiber sensors.

Access to the sensors is enabled through the use of waterproof, wet-matefiber optic connector system chosen for their specific pressure andturbulence characteristics. The said wet-mate connectors are matedproducing an optical connection with intrinsic optical loss due tomisalignment of fiber ends and refractive index mismatching. The saidconnector being mated a procedure is then initiated to characterize theconnector loss in order to isolate the specific loss of the sensor beinginterrogated.

An Optical Transmission Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR) can be used todetect loss in the connector system. The resultant loss of the fiberconnectors is then noted and thus removed from the calculation of thetransmissive losses of said fiber optic sensor.

Calculations are made of the over all loss of the specific sensor or anarray of sensors. The loss and transmissive characteristics of thesystem are then compared with the initial baseline characteristicsrecorded on the manufacturing floor while the propulsion shaft existedin a healthy state.

Changes of the transmissive effects are then correlated with bothhistorical and experimental tabular and graphical results. The state ofthe corrosion and/or chemical or humidity present under the FRP shroudis then presented the customer based on the signature of the specificresults obtained therewith.

A series of identical interrogations conducted on all the sensors andsensor arrays embedded in or under the FRP anti-corrosive coatingindicate the complete condition of the propulsion shaft. A profile isthen prepared using the correlated data and an associated data reductionsoftware package to present integrated results in the form of healthreport to the captain and/or concerned engineers.

The wet-mate connector system is then disconnected, any protectivecovers are replace over the sub-sea connectors and the vessel is placedback in service or ordered to dry-dock depending on the results of theintegrated propulsion shaft health monitor report.

The invention thus allows for deferral of maintenance until necessarybased on the actual condition of the propulsion shaft corrosivecondition. The invention allows for a change of maintenance activitiesfrom a time based propulsion shaft maintenance approach to a conditionbased maintenance approach. The result of this change allows for savingfor the customer of moneys in the order of millions of dollars per shaftwhich is significant. Secondly the system offers the customers thepossibility of avoiding catastrophic propulsion shaft failure. Thesefailure can cause the vessel to become disabled in a uncontrolledsituation and perhaps sink from the collateral damage to the shipssystems.

Specialized covers can be used to prevent water from infiltratingconnectors. A rubber girdle may be placed over the outside of theconnector field in order to secure said connectors from the effects ofhigh speed turbulence brought on by shaft rotation.

Umbilical cable from the surface allows an operator to run tests fromabove water while the propulsion shaft remains submerged. Thisconfiguration allows the operator to run a series of tests at first todiscover changes in sensor characteristics such as optical loss andfrequency response changes for use in spectrographic analysis of in-situsensor arrays.

The invention discussed presented will sense and report failure of FRPdue to presence of humidity, delamination and subsequent corrosion. Theapplication of sensor systems within the protective coating of underwater propulsion shafts thus providing interrogation and diagnosis ofsaid propulsion shaft in-situ. The application and practice ofinstallation and interrogation of said sensors in order to determine thecondition (health) of the propulsion shaft while under water is noveland unique to this invention. FIGS. 1 and 2 are typical of the commonelements which are required in most propulsion shaft designs.

According to the present invention, there is provided a fiber opticsensing system apparatus that solves a known commercial issue related toexamination of in-situ propulsion shafts, under water, to detect thepresence of delamination and corrosion. Delamination of the protectiveFRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastic) structures underwater can cause sealbreakdown and therefore failure of anti-corrosive protection forpropulsion shafts thus exposed to harsh corrosive environments. Thecorrosion detector combination comprising an optical fiber lightguideplaced in contact with the propulsion shaft and an optical fiber guideplaced in mid composite lay-up, said fiber optic guide including atleast one optical fiber, composite material such as that listed below,said fiber optic line accessing and exiting said FRP composite whereby asegment of said fiber optic line is embedded at said propulsion shaftsurface and subsequent higher layers whereby:

a mil spec FRP Mil-R-23461, Type 1 or similar composite material,comprised of resin and a fiber glass mat component that is applied in 4or more layers of impregnated glass mat material thus making up acorrosion protective layer of composite FRP material.

An FRP coating can be applied to propulsion shaft sections that areexposed to the corrosive environmental effects of sea water, waterinfusion, galvanic action, chemical byproducts of corrosion,environmental pollution and organic water borne organisms. Alternatetypes of optical corrosion and chemical sensors can be used such asFiber Bragg Grating based sensors, glass fiber, plastic optical sensorsand fibers with organic coating sensors. The invention herein presentedclaims the novel application of all such optical sensor technologies.Specific sensors have been chosen and presented as the preferredembodiment but the invention is the application of fiber sensors todetect the condition of an underwater propulsion shaft and is notlimited to a specific optical sensor technology for fiber basedpropulsion shaft health monitoring fabrication.

Dimensions and measurement elements are chosen based on the mechanicalconfiguration of the propulsion shaft and the customers requirements forcorrosion or chemical infiltration detection.

A fiber optic sensor array of the present invention can be disposedwithin FRP to thereby form a composite FRP assembly. If desired for anyreason, there can be provided a duplication of fiber optic sensors thatcomprise sensor elements embedded within said composite FRP and opticalfiber having an end portion that extends to a termination point externalto the FRP coating containing the sensor elements and embedded in FRPlayer which provides mechanical stabilization. The system includes asensor element or many sensor elements having predeterminedcharacteristics adapted to measure a predetermined parameter.

The corrosion detector combination preferably comprises a light emitterand a light receptor, said light emitter connected at a first end ofsaid fiber optic line, said light receptor connected at a second end ofsaid fiber optic line, wherein said shaft surface is in contact withstationary plastic optical fiber, wherein a second glass fiber guide isembedded in FRP layers, wherein said light emitter emits a first amountof light, wherein said light detector receives a second amount of lightwhich follows the transmission of said first amount of light throughsaid segment of said fiber optic line, and wherein the intensity of saidsecond amount of light versus said first amount of light is a functionof the deterioration of said segment of said fiber optic line.

The FRP preferably has predetermined dimensions that are greater thanthe predetermined dimensions of said sensor element such that changes inthe composite FRP assembly are reflected in dimensional, chemical orthermal characteristics of the overall assembly and are then measured bythe said sensor apparatus indicating a change of state with regard to apredetermined parameter measurement capability of the embedded opticalsensor. The sensor fibers can be laid up at various specified radialpositions within the FRP determined by the nature of the dimensional,chemical or thermal characteristic to be measured. Further, the sensorfibers can be placed in axial lengths along the propulsion shaft basedon the parameter to be measured. In addition the sensor fibers can beplaced in circumference on the propulsion shaft prior to the lay-up inorder to maintain contact with the metallic or composite shaft material.

The optical fiber sensors are deployed providing light transmissive andoptical refractive characteristics which change when exposed tochemicals. (e.g. water, corrosive by products, contaminating chemicals)In some embodiments, the FRP experiences axial strain and thus axialdistortion of the original fabricated dimensional design. Axial sensorsembedded in the FRP coating will detect said distortion of shape.

A system of the present invention can include a plurality of sensorassemblies associated within said propulsion shaft at a plurality ofrespective positions, wherein said FRP support an array of sensors thatare interconnected by the optical fibers to form a shroud or array.Respective locations of said fiber optic sensors such that thepredetermined parameter is measured at the plurality of respectivepositions at which said sensor assemblies are located.

According to the present invention, there are provided methods forfabricating a composite FRP assembly to incorporate placing sensorscomprising the steps of: a) positioning a sensor within the FRPcomposite fibers that are wet with resin, wherein the sensor comprises asensor element and a lead that extends outwardly therefrom; b)describing a fiber holder and anchoring practice about at least aportion of the wet FRP fibers such that the sensor input output fibersextend lengthwise through the fiber connector assembly, wherein saiddisposing step comprises disposing the fiber holder about the portion ofthe wet fibers within which the sensor element is positioned such thatan end portion of the lead extends beyond the fiber holder and isterminated on an assembly of electro-optic driver/detectors or connectorarray fields; c) describing the use of dual port ferrules to “—anchorthe fiber sensor assemblies to the shaft prior and during the lay-upprocedure; d) curing the resin while the fibers remain stationary withinthe fiber holder, ferules and connector assemblies; and e) placing aprotective cover over the exposed connector fields “the resulting in awater tight composite FRP/Sensor assembly.

The method can further include shaping the FRP/Sensor assembly into apredetermined curved shape between said disposing and said curing stepssuch that the resulting composite FRP/Sensor assembly retains thepredetermined curved shape. The fiber holder generally defines alengthwise extending axis and a lateral cross-sectional shape. Thedisposing optionally comprises shaping the portion of the FRP andencapsulated wet fibers to have the lateral cross-sectional shapedefined by the connector holder or transducer interface.

According to yet another embodiment the lateral cross-sectional shape ofthe fiber holder/connector assembly is circular, and the shaping stepcomprises shaping the portion of the wet FRP composite and sensor fibersto have the circular shape defined by the lateral cross-sectional shapeof the fiber holder/connector assembly as presented in the propulsionshaft contour.

A fabrication method is provided herein to permanently affix fiber opticsensor elements to propulsion shafts using dual ported ferrules toensure sensor stability during lay-up. Fabrication methods of thepresent invention can use tubular channels if desired to isolate,protect and route and optical guide fiber sensor material to the properlocation an adhesion as required for specific designs.

A suitable method and apparatus for electric connector monitoringapplications is shown in FIG. 12. In FIG. 12, a fiber optic sensorstrand is placed within any connector such as an insulated electricalconnector. In detail, as shown by the cross section shown as A-A, afiber optic sensor ring is provided within the electric conductor. Afiber optic terminal pin is provided within the sensor ring andalongside the conductor pins within an insulated jacket of theconnector. Fiber optic cable instrumentation and a light source isincluded whereby information regarding possible breach of the connectoris facilitated. Such breach includes information regarding presence ofwater, corrosion, delamination, and the like.

In FIGS. 13 and 14, specific applications for submarine hulls andaerospace products such a space shuttle are depicted. Methods andapparatus of the present invention can be used to provide informationregarding the integrity of tiles such as those traditionally used in thespace shuttle and submarines. Other similar applications where integrityof tiles or other material is of fundamental or utmost importance. Inthese applications, a “net” or other similar network of fiber optics areprovided within the site sought to be monitored. Fiber optic cableinstrumentation and a light source are then connected thereto and thefiber optic cable is adapted to provide information regarding theintegrity of the tiles or other site being monitored through the net ornetwork of fiber optic cables. The network can be criss crossed as shownor in any other desired configuration such as irregular spacedconfigurations if monitoring of certain areas needs to be more specificor tailored than others. Any other configuration is also possibledepending on the desired end use and application.

In the drawings and the specification, there has been set forth apreferred embodiment of the invention and, although specific terms areemployed, the terms are used in a generic and descriptive sense only andnot for purpose of limitation, the scope of the invention being setforth in the following claims.

Additional advantages, features and modifications will readily occur tothose skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broaderaspects is not limited to the specific details, and representativedevices, shown and described herein. Accordingly, various modificationsmay be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the generalinventive concept as defined by the appended claims and theirequivalents.

As used herein and in the following claims, articles such as “the”, “a”and “an” can connote the singular or plural.

All documents referred to herein are specifically incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

1-12. (canceled)
 13. A method of monitoring the integrity of a hull ofan aircraft or a submarine comprising: a) placing an optical fibernetwork over at least an outer portion of a hull; b) connecting fiberoptic cable instrumentation and a light source to said optical fibernetwork; and, c) monitoring the integrity of the hull using theinstrumentation and the light source.
 14. The method of monitoring asset forth in claim 13, comprising the step of: a) placing an opticalfiber network over at least an outer portion of the hull includesplacing a fiber optic net over said at least an outer portion of thehull and beneath a protective tile assembly.
 15. The method ofmonitoring as set forth in claim 13, wherein: a) said optical fibernetwork includes at least one sensor; and b) said sensor includes atleast one of a humidity sensor and a corrosion sensor.
 16. The method ofmonitoring as set forth in claim 13, wherein: a) upon installation ofsaid optical fiber network an initial baseline calibration isdetermined.
 17. The method of monitoring as set forth in claim 16,wherein; a) said baseline calibration is used to compare againstsubsequent testing to determine if changes to hull integrity areobserved.
 18. A hull integrity monitoring apparatus comprising: a) anetwork of optical fibers arranged over at least a portion of a hull; b)an outer covering of tiles over said at least a portion of a hull andcovering said optical fibers; and, c) a light source and fiber opticinstrumentation connected to said network.
 19. The hull integritymonitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 18, further comprising; a) asensor assembly for detecting defects in said outer covering of tiles.20. The hull integrity monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 19,wherein; a) said sensor assembly is capable of reporting damage to saidhull.
 21. The hull integrity monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim18, further comprising; a) a sensor assembly for detecting hulldeformation.
 22. The hull integrity monitoring apparatus as set forth inclaim 18, further comprising; a) an FRP layer formed over said sensorassembly to form a composite FRP sensor assembly in which said sensorassembly is embedded within said FRP layer.
 23. The hull integritymonitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 18 further comprising: a) acorrosion detector including a light emitter and a light detector, b)wherein, the extent of corrosion is determined by comparing an amount oflight received by said light detector and comparing an amount of lighttransmitted by the light emitter.
 24. The hull integrity monitoringapparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein: a) said sensor assemblyincludes optical sensors having light transmissive and opticalrefractive characteristics which change when exposed to water.
 25. Thehull integrity monitoring apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein: a)said sensor assembly includes optical sensors having light transmissiveand optical refractive characteristics which change when exposed tochemicals.